Darkness always says hello.

Yao's contract had expired after this past season with the Rockets, who have missed the playoffs the last two seasons.

They played nearly all of that time without Yao as he battled various injuries. He was limited to five games last season after missing all of 2009-10.

"We'd all be really happy if Yao comes back to play, and I hope he can," new Rockets coach Kevin McHale said when he was introduced last month. "I think he'll give it his best shot. His body is going to dictate if he can come back and play. That's all going to be laid out in the future.

"But who wouldn't like Yao Ming, a big guy who can really make shots, just a huge force in the middle? That's out of my control. We'll see where that goes."

In May, Yao said his surgically repaired left ankle was healing properly and he wanted to remain with the Rockets.

But Yao, who had surgery in January, said he wouldn't know until this summer if he'd be able to play again. He became a restricted free agent July 1.

Yao averaged 19 points and 9.2 rebounds a game in his seven-plus seasons.

Hell is home.

In the grand scheme of things, he will remembered for what he did in being the first Chinese born player drafted in the NBA and the effect it had in opening up China to the leauge. Yao didn't really make much of an impact on the court for him to be remembered as a great player.

Edit: Just found out on PTI, that Yao wasn't the first Chinese born player drafted in the NBA. But he was definitely the most successful.

Darkness always says hello.

In the grand scheme of things, he will remembered for what he did in being the first Chinese born player drafted in the NBA and the effect it had in opening up China to the leauge. Yao didn't really make much of an impact on the court for him to be remembered as a great player.

I suggest you tread lightly

I heard he was only retiring because the lock out prevented him from having contact with the team doctors. So he retires and can work with the team doctors then he can unretire when the NBA resumes play.

In The Danger Zone...

Darkness always says hello.

I heard he was only retiring because the lock out prevented him from having contact with the team doctors. So he retires and can work with the team doctors then he can unretire when the NBA resumes play.